Cup holder for an automobile

ABSTRACT

A cup holder comprising a pin formed on a tray and an arm with an inserting hole. The pin is inserted into the inserting hole with a silicon-rubber ring friction-fitted between the outer surface of the pin and the inner surface of the inserting hole. The arm rotates in a constrained manner with respect to the pin due to the friction of the silicon-rubber ring while an external force, lager than the friction between the silicon-rubber ring and the inserting hole of the arm, such as a forcible manipulation of the user is applying to the arm. When the external force to the arm is released, the movement of the arm is restricted by the friction of the silicon-rubber ring, so that the arm can firmly support a container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Korean Application No. 10-2004-0021924, filed on Mar. 31, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cup holder for an automobile. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cup holder with a silicon-rubber ring inserted between a pin formed on a tray of a cup holder opening and an inserting hole of an arm that tightly supports a container, wherein the silicon-rubber ring functions as a friction element that restricts undesirable rotation of the arm supporting the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, recently developed automobiles are provided with a cup holder for receiving and holding a container such as a cup or a can. Cup holders serve to prevent containers from tipping over. A cup holder is typically positioned on a dashboard, a console, or other appropriate place in accordance with the needs of vehicle passengers to keep a container from spilling, which may occur due to an ordinary vibration while the vehicle is in motion.

A basic cup holder is a recess-type cup holder which is simply an opening for receiving a container on a surface of a dashboard or a console. This recess-type cup holder is, however, disadvantageous because, not only is the cup holder incapable of securely holding containers of various shapes and sizes, but there is no holding means to support the containers. Since the size of the opening for receiving containers is not adjustable, when the size of the container does not fit the opening, the container may tip over while the vehicle is in motion. In order to overcome such drawbacks, numerous modifications of the cup holder have been developed.

For example, Korean patent registration No. 10-0362110 discloses a cup holder equipped with arms capable of securely holding containers of various size. The arms have a serrated edge. The serrated edges work in conjunction with a stopper to fix the arm in a desired position when a groove in the serrated edge is lodged against the stopper.

This type of cup holder, however, still encounters the problem of cups that do not fit. The grooves in the serrated edge delimit a finite number of sizes for containers that will fit within the cup holder. Many containers exist, however that are not one of the sizes delimited by the grooves. For example, when three grooves form the serrated edge on the arm, the arm is configured to be fixed at three predetermined positions. Therefore, a container of a size other than the sizes formed by the three fixed positions of the arm may not be securely held by the cup holder. This further results in the generation of a noise between the arm and the container. Such a cup holder is further disadvantageous in that an unpleasant noise is generated during the rotation of the arm due to the nature of the snap-fit structure of the grooves in the serration and the stopper. Moreover, such a cup holder assembly is composed of a large number of components, which require time-consuming and labor-intensive work to fabricate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a novel cup holder that adjusts to any size of container. The present invention comprises an opening formed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle for receiving a container and a tray formed adjacent to the opening. A pin protrudes from the end of the tray. An arm having a concavely curved edge and an inserting hole for the pin at one end is positioned such that the pin is inserted into the inserting hole of the arm. Between the outer surface of the pin and the inner surface of the arm's inserting hole is a silicon-rubber ring, inserted by friction fit. The silicon-rubber ring functions as a friction element that allows the arm to be rotated atop the pin only when pressure is exerted upon it above a predetermined range. The silicon-rubber ring may also be comprised of a plurality of single rings in a concentric manner in a vertical direction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the arm is provided with a plurality of hooks around the inserting hole of the arm extending toward the tray. Formed on the tray around the pin is a plurality of arc-shaped slots engaging with the hooks by snap-fitting, so that the arm is not easily detached from the tray when the hooks of the arm are snap-fitted into the slots.

In another embodiment the present invention, the arm is a multi-link arm comprised of a first supporting member and a second supporting member. The first supporting member includes the inserting hole for the pin protruding from the tray. The first supporting member further includes a second pin. The second supporting member with a second inserting hole for the second pin is positioned such that the second pin is inserted into the second inserting hole. Between the outer surface of the second pin and the inner surface of the second inserting hole is a second silicon-rubber ring, inserted by friction fit.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of hooks is provided on the first supporting member around the second pin and extending toward the second supporting member, and a plurality of arc-shaped slots are formed around the second inserting hole. The plurality of hooks are engaged with the slots by snap-fitting so that first and second supporting members are securely attached to each other.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of hooks is provided on the second supporting member around the second inserting hole and extending toward the first supporting member, and a plurality of arc-shaped slots are formed around the second pin. The plurality of hooks are engaged with the slots by snap-fitting so that first and second supporting members are securely attached to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present invention will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view showing a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is installed into an interior of a vehicle;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view showing a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is holding a container therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an arm with hooks and corresponding arc-shape slots formed on a tray of a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of a silicon-rubber ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view of a silicon-rubber ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plane view of a cup holder according to another embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a multi-link arm; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of a multi-link arm of FIG. 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 2, the present invention includes an opening 110 that receives a container. In opening 110, a tray 111 for disposing an arm 120 is formed along one side of the inner surface of opening 110. On tray 111, one end of arm 120 is rotatably attached to tray 111 and the rest of arm 120 is positioned in an initial position. Only the end of arm 120 that is rotatably attached to tray 111 is supported by tray 111 when arm 120 rotates toward the center of opening 110. Tray 111 protrudes from the bottom of opening 110 such that no surface of arm 120 extends above the rim of opening 110.

A pin 112 protrudes from the surface of tray 111. As shown in FIG. 3, arm 120 is provided with an inserting hole 123 on the bottom surface at one end to accommodate pin 112. A silicon-rubber ring 130 is forcibly inserted into a gap formed between the outer surface of pin 112 and the inner surface of inserting hole 123 when pin 112 is inserted into inserting hole 123. After pin 112 is inserted into inserting hole 123, arm 120 rotates with respect to pin 112 on tray 111. Arm 120 includes a concavely curved surface 121 at one side for securely supporting the circumference of a container and a projecting handle 122 for easy rotation of arm 120.

As depicted in FIG. 2, silicon-rubber ring 130 is friction-fitted between the outer surface of pin 112 and the inner surface of inserting hole 123. Arm 120 rotates when a force that overcomes the friction between the inner surface of inserting hole 123 and the outer surface of silicon-rubber ring 130 is applied to arm 120. As described above, silicon-rubber ring 130 provides an appropriate amount of friction to disturb free rotation of arm 120, thereby securely fixing the position of arm 120 at a position set by a user even after the user releases the force applied to the arm.

In other words, arm 120's rotation with respect to pin 112 is restricted by the friction created by silicon-rubber ring 130. When an external force greater than the friction created by silicon-rubber ring 130 is applied (such as a force provided by a user), arm 120 is rotated with respect to pin 112. When the external force to arm 120 is released, the movement of arm 120 is restricted by the friction of silicon-rubber ring 130, so that arm 120 remains in the position it was in when the external force was released, thereby firmly supporting a container. Therefore, a user can rotate arm 120 to accommodate a container of any size within a predetermined range by means of handle 122. Upon release of arm 120 by the user, arm 120 remains in the position set by the user and securely holds the container by the friction of the silicon-rubber ring 130. Accordingly, the holding force of arm 120 is defined by the friction of silicon-rubber ring 130.

In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, silicon-rubber ring 130 is comprised of a plurality of single rings 131 in a concentric manner in a vertical direction. Silicon-rubber ring 130 is configured to be compressed or expanded in a radial direction during rotation of arm 120. While other materials may be used to construct a ring to fit between pin 112 and inserting hole 123, silicon rubber is provided as an example because of its ability to maintain its shape at a temperature of up to 600° F. Silicon rubber is also superior to conventional organic rubber materials in its tensile strength, elongation, and endurance. Moreover, even though its conventional heat-resistance is in the range of 150 to 250° F., silicon rubber can be used at a temperature of up to 350° F. intermittently.

In another embodiment (see FIG. 3), arm 120 is provided with a plurality of hooks 124 around inserting hole 123 extending toward tray 111. Hooks 124 are configured to snap-fit into a plurality of arc-shape slots 113 formed around pin 112. Slots 113 is arranged along the circumference of pin 112. When hooks 124 are engaged with slots 113, arm 120 is secured to tray 111. Slots 113 are long enough to allow hooks 124 to stay within slots 113 even while arm 120 is rotated. Thus, not only should slots 113 should be arc-shaped and concentric with pin 112, but also the length of the slots 113 should be configured to accommodate the predetermined rotating angle of arm 120. Accordingly, the maximum rotating angle of arm 120 is determined by the length of slot 113. Even though FIG. 3 shows three hooks and three slots, the number and location of hooks and slots can be modified to fit the needs of the user.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention (see FIGS. 5 and 6), a cup holder is provided with a multi-link arm that more securely fixes a container. Arm 120 comprises a first supporting member 120 a rotating with respect to pin 112 on tray 111, and a second supporting member 120 b rotating with respect to one end of first supporting member 120 a. Referring to FIG. 6, at one end of first supporting member 120 a, first supporting member 120 a is rotatably connected to pin 112. At the other end of first supporting member 120 a, second supporting member 120 b is rotatably connected in a similar manner. A second pin 125 protrudes from first supporting member 120 a. Second supporting member 120 b is provided with a second inserting hole 126 into which second pin 125 is inserted. A silicon-rubber ring 127 (as shown in FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b) is friction-fitted between the outer surface of second pin 125 of the first supporting member 120 a and the inner surface of second inserting hole 126 of second supporting member 120 b. Silicon-rubber ring 127 provides an appropriate amount of friction that restrains the undesirable rotation of second supporting member 120 b with respect to first supporting member 120 a so as to remain firmly in the position that the user placed second supporting member 120 b, and thereby firmly holding a container. The friction of silicon-rubber ring 127 is configured so that a user may easily rotate second supporting member 120 b with respect to first supporting member 120 a manually.

In a further embodiment, second supporting member 120 b is provided with a plurality of hooks 129 extending toward first supporting member 120 a and located around second inserting hole 126. Hooks 129 are configured to snap-fit into a plurality of arc-shape slots 128 formed around second pin 125 of the first supporting member 120 a.

From the foregoing description, the present invention is a cup holder capable of securely holding containers of various shapes and sizes by utilizing a silicon-rubber ring to serve as a friction control between a pin and an inserting hole of an arm that securely holds a container. Furthermore, the present invention adopts an arm capable of being positioned at any position within a predetermined range. This is an advantage over the prior art of cup holders with arms that can only accommodate step-rotation. Not only are the prior art cup holders incapable of securely accommodate containers of various sizes, they also generate much nose due to their design using serrated edges and stoppers. Moreover, when a multi-link arm is provided, the cup holder according to the present invention more effectively holds a container. A cup holder according to the present invention is further advantageous in having a more simple structure in comparison with that of prior art, thus reducing manufacturing cost.

Even though the present invention is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. It is evident from the foregoing that many variations and modifications may be made by a person having an ordinary skill in the present field without departing from the essential concept of the present invention. 

1. A cup holder for an automobile, comprising: an opening formed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle for receiving a container; a tray formed adjacent to the opening; a pin protruding from the tray; an arm having a concavely curved edge and an inserting hole, wherein the pin is inserted into the inserting hole and the arm is securely supporting the circumference of a container by rotation with respect to the pin; and an elastic member, friction-fitted between an outer surface of the pin and an inner surface of the inserting hole, creating a certain amount of friction against the outer surface of the pin and the inner surface of the inserting hole such that the pin rotatably moves within the inserting hole only when the friction is overcome by a larger force.
 2. The cup holder in claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a silicon-rubber ring.
 3. The cup holder in claim 2, wherein the silicon-rubber ring is made by integrally combining a plurality of single rings in a concentric manner in a vertical direction.
 4. The cup holder in claim 1, wherein the arm is provided with a plurality of hooks around the inserting hole and extending toward the tray, and the tray is provided with a plurality of arc-shaped slots around the pin for engaging with the hooks by snap-fitting, such that the arm is secured to the tray when the hooks are snap-fitted into the slots.
 5. The cup holder in claim 1, wherein the arm comprises: a first supporting member rotating with respect to the pin of the tray; a second supporting member rotating with respect to one end of the first supporting member; and an elastic member; wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are rotatably connected by means of a second pin and a second inserting hole, and a second elastic member is friction-fitted between an outer surface of the second pin and an inner surface of the second inserting hole, creating a certain amount of friction against the outer surface of the second pin and the inner surface of the second inserting hole such that the second pin rotatably moves within the second inserting hole only when the friction is overcome by a larger force.
 6. The cup holder in claim 5, wherein the second elastic member is a silicon-rubber ring.
 7. The cup holder in claim 6, wherein the second elastic member is made by integrally combining a plurality of single silicon-rubber rings in a concentric manner in a vertical direction.
 8. The cup holder in claim 5, wherein one of the supporting members is provided with a plurality of hooks around the second inserting hole and extending toward the other supporting member, and the other supporting member is provided with a plurality of arc-shaped slots around the second pin for engaging with the hooks by snap-fitting, such that the one supporting member is secured to the other supporting member when the hooks are snap-fitted into the slots.
 9. A cup holder for an automobile, comprising: a pin; an arm having an inserting hole, wherein the pin is inserted into the inserting hole and the arm is securely supporting the circumference of a container by rotation with respect to the pin; and an elastic member friction-fitted between an outer surface of the pin and an inner surface of the inserting hole, creating a certain amount of friction against the outer surface of the pin and the inner surface of the inserting hole such that the pin rotatably moves within the inserting hole only when the friction is overcome by a larger force.
 10. The cup holder in claim 9, wherein the elastic member is a silicon-rubber ring.
 11. The cup holder in claim 9, wherein the arm is provided with a plurality of hooks around the inserting hole, and the arm is secured to the pin by snap-fitting the hooks to slots near the pin.
 12. The cup holder in claim 9, wherein the arm comprises: a first supporting member rotating with respect to the pin; a second supporting member rotating with respect to one end of the first supporting member, and an elastic member; and a second elastic member; wherein the first supporting member and the second supporting member are rotatably connected by means of a second pin and a second inserting hole, and the second elastic member is friction-fitted between an outer surface of the second pin and an inner surface of the second inserting hole, creating a certain amount of friction against the outer surface of the second pin and the inner surface of the second inserting hole such that the pin rotatably moves within the inserting hole only when the friction is overcome by a larger force. 